CHL preview: EHC Red Bull München at Ocelari Trinec

Saturday, 02. September 2023 | CHL preview: EHC Red Bull München at Ocelari Trinec

Red Bulls aim for positive Czech finish at TrinecPreview of the second CHL match against Oceláři Třinec// CHL - PREVIEWAfter the 3:4 in the penalty shootout against Vitkovice Ridera, our second CHL match in the Czech Republic is coming up on Sunday. Against Oceláři Třinec, the Red Bulls are looking for their first win.

It took 30 penalties on Friday before a winner was found in the first match of the new 2023/24 Champions League season. Both Mathias Niederberger and Vitkovice goalie Lukas Klimes showed all their class and initially allowed only one goal on 14 attempts each. Stuart Percy ultimately converted the Czechs' 15th try to secure the second point for Vitkovice.

"We started very well and made a good comeback after their goals. It was a really tough game. But I'm glad we came back and got another point," coach Toni Söderholm said after the thrilling penalty shootout. The second leg in the Czech Republic is scheduled for Sunday. Against Oceláři Třinec, the reigning champions of the Extraliga, the first three points should come.

Highlights: Vitkovice Ridera vs. Red Bull München (01.09.2023)

// HIGHLIGHTS - CHL

Top lines at the Czech champions

In front of the two goalies Marek Mazanec and Ondřej Kacetl, who alternate regularly, defenseman Jakub Jeřábek (seven goals, 31 assists) boosts the offensive game. The Czech has already played 37 NHL games. Another player even has 227 appearances and seven seasons in the best league in the world to his credit. We are talking about Slovakian Martin Marinčin, who, like Jeřábek, is one of the cornerstones of the defense. New on board are Tomáš Kundrátek (HC Kometa Brno) and Richard Nedomlel (Bílí Tygři Liberec). The entire defensive group is heavily Eastern European with a lot of North American experience.

The same is true of the offense. Of the top ten point scorers in the Extraliga, three attackers wore the red and white jersey. Martin Růžička, already 37 years old, delivered 69 points (32 goals, 37 assists). Marko Daňo followed in second place with 60 points. The two wingers of the first line will have to do without center Tomáš Marcinko (44 points) in the future, who is moving to Kometa Brno. Andrej Nestrašil (62 points), however, remains on board. New signings include Viliam Čacho (Dukla Trencin) and Kamil Wałęga (Liptovský Mikuláš).

Our new number 5 already knows the unpleasant opponent from the Extraliga. "I once played against Trinec with HV71. At that time, we advanced in the sixteenth finals," recalls the Swede, who met the Czechs in the 2015/16 season. HV71 played 2:2 away and 3:1 at home back then. Almquist prepared a goal in the second leg. It should be similar with the Red Bulls now.